Three dimensional jig saw puzzle



June 6, 1961 w. HAMMER THREE DIMENsIoNAL JIG sAw PUzzLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1957 m'l/ie Hammer INVENToR.

United States Patent O 2,987,318 THREE DIMENSIONAL JIG SAW PUZZLE Willie Hammer, Los Angeles, Calif. (P.0. Box 4083, Norton AFB, Calif.) Filed Sept. 17, 1957, Ser. No. 684,495 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-157) The present invention generally relates to a puzzle construction and more particularly to a three dimensional jig saw puzzle constructed in such a manner to simulate various solid objects of regular or irregular shape in which a multiplicity of pieces are provided which are interrelated in such a manner that the pieces must be assembled in a predetermined manner in order to form the object involved.

An object of the present invention is to provide a jig saw puzzle incorporating a base form having a surface provided with a multiplicity of sockets for receiving projecting pegs on a multiplicity of puzzle pieces which when assembled in the proper manner will interfit and coact with each other to provide a three dimensional object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle constructed in accordance with the preceding object in which the shape of the article form may be regular or irregular.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a three dimensional puzzle having a plurality of game pieces with projecting pegs with the pegs having varying amounts of lengths of standoff incorporated therein for providing a peripheral surface on the puzzle which may be different from the peripheral surface of the base which receives and retains the pegs thereby enabling the puzzle to be provided with a multiplicity of final shapes from a single base form by employing pegs of different characteristics.

Other important objects of the present invention will reside in its Simplicity of construction, ease of assembly, educational qualities, adaptation for its particular purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing COSt.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of the puzzle of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1 illustrating the structural details of the base form, the puzzle pieces and the pegs thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one of the puzzle pieces;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view showing one embodiment of the three dimensional puzzle; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a puzzle piece showing the cross-sectional shape thcreof which may have many variations.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates the three dimensional puzzle of the present invention Which has a supporting platform or base 12 from which extends an upstanding standard 14. The standard 14 is provided with a reduced upper end 16 received in a socket 18 in a spherical body or base member 20. In the form of the invention illustrated, the base member or body 20 is spherical but this body may take any desired shape. The body 20 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending or diametric sockets 22 which in this case are radial for receiving a re- Patented June 6, 1981 duced end 24 of a peg 26 extending inwardly from a puzzle piece 28.

The puzzle piece 28 is arcuately curved and provided with notches 30 and corresponding projections 32 which interfit to Ilock the puzzle pieces 28 together and to enhance the puzzle characteristics of the puzzle pieces 28. As shown in FIGURE 2, the abutting edges 34 of the puzzle pieces 28 are inclined to further enhance the appearance of the puzzle and to further cause the puzzle pieces 28 to interfit. It is noted that the standard 14 extends through an opening 36 in the shell formed by the puzzle pieces 28 which is in mutually spaced relation to the body 20. In the embodirnent of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the puzzle pieces 28 coact to form a simulated globe and the body member 20 is spherical and the pegs 26 are all equal in length and the reduced end 24 thcreof are all equal in length. The juncture between the reduced end 24 and the peg 26 forms a shoulder 38 for abutting engagement with the edge of the socket 22 thus limiting the insertion of the peg 26 into the body 20. By varying the relative lengths of the peg 26 and the reduced end portion 24, the puzzle piece 28 may be spaced away from the body 20 at varying distances for providing different shapes. Also, the external surface 40 of the puzzle pieces 28 may be shaped and curved and provided with various indicia, color characteristics or other distinguishing means to provide a particular shape to the finished object such as the shape of a person's head as generally designated by the numeral 42 in FIGURE 4. Thus, the body member 20 may be of spherical shape while the puzzle may be of any desired shape depending upon the contour of the outer surface 40 of the puzzle pieces 28.

Any number of puzzle pieces may be provided with a suitable number of sockets being provided. Also, the puzzle pieces 28 may be provided with pegs which are completely received within the sockets whereby the puzzle pieces will rest against the outer surface of the body. Also, the peg 26 may be of various lengths to space the puzzle piece from the body 20 various distances as desired. Also, instead of the device being supported from the base and standard, it may be inverted and suspended from a string or some other similar overhead support. The puzzle pieces having the particular construction shown herein and cooperating with the base may be employed for various instructive purposes as well as for providing a puzzle having novel characteristics and which provides a highly entertaining and desirable puzzle. The size of each piece will depend on the number of puzzle pieces and the distance of the body of the puzzle from the core or body 20 will also determine the size of each piece. The device may be constructed of any suitable material such as that normally employed in conventional two dimensional jig saw puzzles, although plastic is preferable.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A three dimensional jigsaw puzzle comprising a spherical body forming a core for the puzzle, said body having a peripheral surface provided with a plurality of sockets, a plurality of puzzle pieces disposed outwardly of said body, each of said puzzle pieces having a centrally disposed inwardly extending peg rigid therewith for reception in said sockets thereby maintaining the puzzle pieces on the body, the peripheral edges of said puzzle pieces peripherally interfitting With each other to provide a continuous member When the puzzle pieces are all assembled, each of said pegs being provided with a reduced free end portion and an enlarged inner end portion divided by a shoulder for limiting the insertion of the reduced end portion into the socket Whereby the puzzle pieces Will be spaced from the peripheral surface of the body a distance equal to the length of the enlarged portion of the pegs thereby providing a puzzle having an inner peripheral surface in spaced relation to the outer peripheral surface of the body, a supporting stand for said body thereby supporting the puzzle vfrom a supporting surface, said stand including an upright standard detachably engaged With one of the 'sockets Vin said body for permitting the body to be changed with other bodies of difierent size and shape. 2.: A three dimensional puzzle comprising a supported spherical body having a plurality of radially extending sockets in the peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of puzzle pieces, each of said puzzle pieces having a radially extending peg grid With the inner surface thereof for reception in a socket in the body, the peripheral edge surface of each puzz1e piece being inclined whereby any point thereon lies in a radial plane passing through the center of the body, said peripheral edge surfaces of the puzz1e pieces being irregular and provided with a random pattern and interfitting with each other about the entire peripheral surface to form a continuous surface When the pieces are moved radially to interfitting aligned relation with the pegs engaged with the'socket,V each of said pegs being provided with a reduced vfree end portion and an enlarged inner end portion divided by a shoulder for limiting the insertion of the reduced end portion into the socket Whereby the puzzle pieces will be spaced from the peripheral surface of the body a distance equal to the length of the enlarged portion of the Vpegs thereby providing a puzz1e having an inner peripheral su*- face in spaced relation to the onter peripheral surface of the body.

References cited. in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTs 

